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Th e M A Y F L O W E R 
 
 Pilgrims 
 
 Qompliments of 
 GEORGE W. WHEELWRIGHT PAPER CO. 
 
Th. 
 
 MAYFLOWER 
 
 PILGRIMS 
 
 Being a Condensation in the Original 
 Wording and Spelling of the Story written by 
 
 (^ov, Williafn 'Bradford 
 
 of their privations and trials, and the 
 
 Voyage of the zj^^ayfou-e?', and 
 
 settlement at Plymouth 
 
 in the year 1620 
 
 ?Sl3WiaSji,fi!5«j^e^ 
 
 'Boston : <JhCassachusetts 
 
 COMPILED BY JOHN T. WHEELWRIGHT IN THE 
 
 YEAR OF THE TERCENTENARY 
 

 Copyright, 1921 
 JOHN T. WHEELWRIGHT 
 
 
 Printed by 
 McGRATH-SHERRILL PRESS 
 
 C1A656574 
 
 n^ \^ I 
 
 JAN 31 1922 
 
Preface 
 
 This Condensation of the first part of Governor Wil- 
 liam Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation covers 
 the period in the History of the English "Separatists" 
 Sect from 1608 to 1621. Miss Agnes Edwards writes 
 that this narrative is the basis for all historical study 
 of the early life of the Pilgrims in this country, and when 
 we look at the quiet roof of the Bradford house today 
 and realize how narrowly the papers — for they remained 
 in manuscript form for two hundred years — escaped 
 being lost forever, our minds travel again over the often 
 told story. 
 
 The manuscript, penned in Governor Bradford's fine 
 old hand, in a folio with a parchment back, and with 
 some childish scribblings by little Mercy Bradford on 
 the cover, passed at the Governor's death to his son, 
 and at his death to his son. It reposed in the old 
 house now intact in Kingston until 1728, doubtless re- 
 garded as something valuable, but not in the least 
 appreciated at its full and peculiar worth. When 
 Major John Bradford lent it to the Reverend Thomas 
 Prince to assist him in his "Chronological History of 
 
New England," he was merely doing what he had done 
 many times before. In these days of burglar-proof safes 
 and fire protection it makes us shiver to think of this 
 priceless holograph passed from hand to hand in such a 
 casual manner. But it seems to have escaped any mis- 
 hap under Dr. Prince, who deposited it eventually in 
 the library of the Old South Church. Here it remained 
 for half a century, still in manuscript form and fre- 
 quently referred to by scholars. Thomas Hutchinson 
 used it in compiling his "History of Massachusetts 
 Bay," and Mather used it also. At the time of the 
 Revolution the Old South was looted, and this docu- 
 ment (along with many others) disappeared absolutely. 
 No trace whatever could be found of it ; the most ex- 
 haustive search was in vain, and scholars and historians 
 mourned for a loss that was irreparable. And then, 
 after half a century, after the search had been entirely 
 abandoned, it was discovered, quite by chance, by one 
 who fortunately knew its value, tucked into the Library 
 of Fulham Palace in London. 
 
 // Returns to America 
 
 After due rejoicing on the American side and due 
 deliberation on the English side of the water, it was 
 very properly and very politely returned to this country 
 
in 1897. Now it rests after its career of infinite hazard, 
 in a case in the Boston State House, elaborately pro- 
 tected from fire and theft, from any accidental or 
 premeditated harm, and Kingston must content itseU 
 with a copy in Pilgrim Hall at Plymouth. 
 
 Kingston's history commences with a manuscript and 
 continues in the same form. If you would know the 
 legends, the traditions, the events which mark this 
 ancient town, you will have to turn to records, diaries, 
 memoranda, memorial addresses and sermons, many of 
 them never published. 
 
 The Separatists in England claimed that a church, 
 or congregation, should have the right to select its own 
 pastor, elder, and other officers recognized by the 
 Scriptures, and not be obhged to accept them on the 
 nomination of a bishop, whether acting for pope or 
 king. They accepted Calvin's rule, that those who are 
 to exercise any public function in the church should be 
 chosen by common voice. 
 
 They should not be confounded with the Puritans, 
 who always claimed to be a part of the Church of 
 England. These latter founded the Massachusetts Bay 
 Colony about ten years after the landing of the Pilgrims 
 at Plymouth. 
 
 There was a wide difference between the few poor 
 people who came from Leyden across the seas to subdue 
 
the wilderness with the slenderest of resources, and 
 the strongly organized Colony sent to the new world by 
 the Puritan Party in England, which settled Salem and 
 Boston and the surrounding country, and founded a 
 Biblical Commonwealth ruled by a proud Oligarchy of 
 Clergy. 
 
 The Pilgrims were simple folks. In their history there 
 is no account of any persecution for religion, and on 
 the other hand the rulers of the Massachusetts Bay 
 Colony were most intolerant of Quakers, Anabaptists, 
 and Antinomians ; and although hard-headed men, some 
 of them were swept into the hanging of witches by their 
 belief in dark superstitions. 
 
 The text used in this pamphlet is that of the edition 
 of Bradford's History published by the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society in 191 2. 
 
 The views of the places visited by the Pilgrims in 
 their first voyage of exploration, in November and 
 December, 1620, were taken in 1920 for this publication. 
 The condensation follows the text verbatim et literatim. 
 
Note 
 
 According to GovernorWinslow the primitive churches in 
 the Apostolic Age were the only churches which the Church 
 of Christ in New England had in their eye. To them the 
 inspired Scriptures only contained the true religion, and 
 nothing was to be accounted the Protestant religion respect- 
 ing either faith or worship, but what is taught in them. 
 Each church had the right of choosing all their officers. 
 The Rev. George E. Ellis in his article on the Religious 
 Element in America and Winsor's Narrative and Critical 
 History of America, is the authority for the following: 
 
 The Reformation in England was, at the time of the be- 
 ginning of the Puritan movement, an experiment to be 
 tried, an institution to be recreated and remodelled, a sub- 
 stitute church to be provided for a repudiated church. 
 The early dissenters regarded themselves as simply taking 
 part in an unfinished reform. They took alarm at the sim- 
 ulation of the system and ritual of the Roman Church by 
 the Established Church of England. They wished to have 
 a hand and voice in instituting and planning the ecclesiasti- 
 cal institutions under which they were to live as Christians. 
 They did not wish to be led, governed and disciplined like 
 sheep in a fold by a clerical order; they believed in the 
 Scriptures as the sole authority for the institutions and dis- 
 cipline of the Christian Church. 
 
 The Puritans began by objecting and protesting against 
 certain usages, but they soon set themselves against the au- 
 thority of those who enforce such usages. 
 
The Separatists, who escaped into Holland, soon set up 
 and afterwards maintained the principle of rigid separation 
 from the Established Church, while the Massachusetts Bay 
 Colonists called it their Mother Church and their separation 
 from it they regarded as rather caused by such harsh condi- 
 tions as excluded from its privileges than by any wilfulness 
 or hostility of their own. Still there was never any breach 
 beyond that of a friendly discussion between the men of 
 Plymouth and those of Massachusetts Bay ; both wished to 
 be rid of common prayer and ceremonial. 
 
 The fact that the Pilgrims found a rock at the head of 
 their harbor gave Mrs. Hemans license to say 
 " The breaking waves dashed high 
 Upon a stern and rock-bound coast " 
 
 But the last line might, in the interest of truth, be changed 
 to "A bleak and dang'rous coast" • — 
 
 As the wind was from the northwest when they first ran 
 into the "lee of a smalle iland"^ — it is possible that the 
 breaking waves were not dashing very high ; when they 
 "marched into the land" almost 48 hours after. 
 
 A famous epigram made by an American Statesman, in a 
 toast at a dinner in New York on Forefathers Day, has a 
 false as well as a tragic note; "To the Pilgrim Mothers — 
 who endured not only the terrors of the wilderness, but the 
 Pilgrim Fathers." Seventeen of the latter brought their 
 wives with them and fourteen of these hapless dames died 
 in the first three months in the wilderness. 
 
Contents 
 
 Their Departure into Holland and their Troubles 
 thereabout^ with some oj the many difficulties they found 
 and met i 
 
 Their Settling in Holland and their manner of living 
 and Entertainment there 5 
 
 Showing the ^^ASO'tis that caused their Removal from the 
 Low Countries 7 
 
 They arrive in England and prepare to embark for the 
 New World 9 
 
 The Speedwell returns to Plymouth and the May- 
 flower starts the Journey alone 12 
 
 Showing how they sought out a Place of Habitation and 
 what befell them 18 
 
 They have their first Encounter with the Indians and 
 drive them away 23 
 
 They form a Compact and make a Treaty of Peace with 
 Massasoit 32 
 
 They suffer from Famine and many of the Company die 
 of the Plague 42 
 
 Appendix I 51 
 
 Appendix II ^^ 
 
Illustrations 
 
 The Mayflower Frontispiece 
 
 Governor Edward Wins low xiv 
 
 The Embarkation q/Z/^d" Pilgrims il 
 
 Dexter's Map oJ the Explorations 22 
 
 M«^ 0/ Plymouth Harbor . . , 27 
 
 Clark's Island 29 
 
 The Mayflower iji Plymouth Harbor ■;^'^ 
 
 The Compact i^'^ 
 
 The hANDiNG of the Pilgrims 37 
 
 The First Houses 39 
 
 T^^Winslow House <2/ Marsh FIELD 47 
 
Governor EDWARD WINSLOW 
 Mayflower Pilgrim and Third Governor of Plymouth Colony 
 
'T h e M A Y F L O W E R 
 
 Pilgrims 
 
 Their Departure into Holland and their 
 Troubles thereabout^ with some of the 
 many difficulties they found and met. 
 
 THE SEPARATISTS in England became 
 2 distincte bodys or churches, In sundrie 
 townes and vilages, some in Notingham- 
 shire, some of Lincolnshire, and some of 
 Yorkshire. They were hunted and persecuted on every 
 side. . . . For some were taken and clapt up in prison 
 others had their houses besett and watcht night and 
 day, and the most were faine to flie and leave their 
 houses and habitations, and the means of their liveli- 
 hood. 
 
 By a joynte consente they resolved to goe into the 
 Low-Countries, where they heard was freedome of 
 
 They decide to 
 leave England 
 on account of 
 their persecu- 
 tion 
 
T^he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 ofl 
 
 Are prevented 
 from leaving 
 the ports 
 
 The master of 
 the ship betrays 
 them to the 
 authorities 
 
 Religion for all men .... But to goe into a country 
 they knew not (but by hearsay) wher they must learn 
 a new language, and get their living they knew not 
 how, . especially seeing they were not acquainted with 
 trades nor traffique . . . but had only been used to 
 a plain country life and the inocente trade of hus- 
 bandry — 
 
 Though they could not stay, yet were they not suf- 
 fered to goe, but the ports and havens were shut 
 against them, so as they were faine to seeke secrete 
 means of conveance ; and to bribe and fee the mari- 
 ners and give extraordinarie rates for their passage : 
 
 There was a large companie of them proposed to 
 get passage at Boston in Lincoln-shire and for that 
 end had hired a ship wholy to themselves ; and made 
 agreement with the master to be ready at a certain 
 day and take them and their good &co at a conven- 
 ient place, where they accordingly would all attende 
 in readiness 
 
 But, when he had them and their goods abord, he 
 betrayed them, having beforehand complotted with 
 the searchers, and other officers so to do. who tooke 
 them and put them into open boat and then rifled and 
 ransaked them, searching them to their shirts for 
 money, yea, even the women furder then became 
 
Their Departure i?ito Hollan 
 
 D 
 
 They meet by 
 appointment 
 between 
 Grimsby and 
 Hull 
 
 modestie, and then made them a spectackle and won- 
 der to the multitude, which came flocking on all sides 
 to behold them. . . 
 
 After a month's imprisonment the greatest part were 
 dismiste, and sent to the places from whence they 
 came, but 7 of the principall were still kept in person 
 and bound over to the Assises. 
 
 The nexte spring after, ther was another attempte 
 made by some of these others ; to get over at an other 
 place. And it so fell out, that the sight of a Dutchman 
 at Hull, having a ship of his owne belonging to Zea- 
 land ; they made agreemente with him and acquaint- 
 (9)ed him with their condition, hoping to find more 
 faithfulne(ss) in him, then in the former of their owne 
 nation ; he had them not fear, for he would doe well 
 enough. He was (by appointment) to take them in 
 betweene Grimsbe, and Hull, wher was a large com- 
 mone a good way distante from any towne. Now 
 against the prefixed time, the women and children, 
 with the goods, were sent to the place in a small 
 barke which they had hired for that end : and the 
 men were to meete them by land. But it so fell out, 
 that they were ther a day before the shipe came, and 
 the sea being rough, and the women very sicke, pre- 
 vailed with the seamen to put into a creek hardby, 
 
 [where 
 
The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 hardby] 
 
 Attacked by 
 an armed band 
 
 Some have to 
 be left on shore 
 
 where they lay on ground at low-water. The nexte 
 morning the shipe came in, but they were fast, and 
 could not stir, till aboute noone ; In the mean time 
 (the shipe maister, perceiveing how the matter was) 
 sent his boate to be getting the men abord whom he 
 saw ready, walking aboute the shore. But after the 
 first boat full was got abord, and she was ready to goe 
 for more, the mr. espied a greate company (both horse, 
 and foote) with bills, and gunes, and other weapons 
 (for the countrie was raised to take them). The Dutch- 
 man seeing that, swore (his countries oath), sacre- 
 mente and having the wind faire, waiged his Ancor, 
 hoysed sayles, and away. But the poore-men which 
 were gott abord, were in great distress for their wives 
 and children, which they saw thus to be taken, and 
 were left destitute of their helps ; and them selves also, 
 not having a cloath to shifte them with, more then 
 they had on their backs, and some scarce a peney 
 aboute them, all they had being abord the barke. It 
 drew tears from their eyes, and any thing they had 
 they would have given to be ashore again ; but all in 
 vaine, ther was no remedy ; they must thus sadly part. 
 And afterward endured a fearfull storme at sea, being 
 .14. days or more before they arived at their porte, 
 in .7. whereof they neither saw son, moone, nor stars. 
 
T/ieh^ Settling in Holland 
 
 and were driven near the coast of Norway ; the mar- 
 iners them selves often despairing of life ; and once 
 with shriks and cries gave over all, as if the ship had 
 foundered in the sea, and they sinking without recov- 
 erie. But when mans hope, and helpe wholy failed, 
 the lords power and mercie appeared in their recov- 
 erie ; for the ship rose againe, and gave the mariners 
 courage againe to manage here. I might relate many 
 other notable passages, and troubles which they en- 
 dured, and underwente in these their wanderings, and 
 travells both at land, and sea; and in the end they 
 mete togeather againe according to their desires, with 
 no small rejoycing. 
 
 Heavy storms 
 drive them to 
 the coast of 
 Norway 
 
 Their Settling/;/ Holland and their man- 
 ner of living and Entertainment there. 
 
 BEING now come into the Low countries, they 
 saw many goodly and fortified cities, also they 
 heard a strange, and uncouth language, and beheld 
 the differente manners, and custumes of the people, 
 with their strange fashions, and attires ; all so farre 
 differing from that of their plaine countrie villages 
 (wherein they were bred, and had so longe lived) 
 
 They arrive in 
 the Low 
 Countries 
 
 [as 
 
The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 lived)] 
 
 After a year in 
 Amsterdam 
 they remove to 
 Leyden 
 
 Are trusted by 
 the merchants 
 and people 
 
 as it seemed they were come into a new world. For 
 though they saw faire, and bewtifull cities, flowing 
 with abondance of all sorts of welth and riches, yet 
 it was not longe before they saw the grimme and 
 grisly face of povertie coming upon them like an armed 
 man ; with whom they must bukle, and incounter, 
 and from whom they could not flye ; but they were 
 armed with faith, and potience against him, and. all 
 his encounters ; and though they were sometimes 
 foiled, yet by Gods assistance they prevailed, and 
 got the victorie. And when they had lived at Am- 
 sterdam aboute a year, they removed to Leyden, a 
 fair and bewtifull citie, and of a sweete situation, and 
 at lenght they came to raise a competente and com- 
 forteable living, but with hard, and continuall labore. 
 
 And though many of thom weer poore, yet ther was 
 none so poore but if they were known to be of that 
 congregation, the DUTCH (either bakers or others) 
 would trust them in any reasonable manner when 
 they wanted money. Because they had found by ex- 
 perience how carefull they were to keep their word, 
 and saw them so painfull, and dilligente in their call- 
 ing ; yea, they would strive to gett their custome, and 
 to imploy above others, in their work, for their hon- 
 
 * Most of them in the cloth industries. 
 
'T/ieir Reasons for their Removal 
 
 estie and diligence. The magistrates of the citie, aboute 
 the time of their coming away, gave this commend- 
 able testemony of them. These English (said they) 
 have lived amongst us now these .12. years, and yet 
 sute, or accusation against any of them ; they saw and 
 we never had any found by experience the hardnes 
 of the place and countrie to be shuch, as few in 
 comparison would come to them; and fewer that 
 would bide it out, and continew with them. 
 
 Showing the Reasons that caused their Re- 
 moval from the Low Countries. 
 
 IT was thought that if a better, and easier place of 
 living, could be had, it would draw many, and 
 take away these discouragements. Old age began steale 
 on many of them, and their children, so oppressed with 
 their hevie labours, that though their minds were free 
 anci willing, yet their bodies bowed under the weight 
 of the same, and became becreped in their early youth ; 
 the vigor of nature being consumed in the very budd 
 as it were. But that which was more lamentable, and 
 of all sorrowes most heavie to be borne, was that many 
 of their children, by these occasions, and the great 
 licentiousness of youth in that countrie, and the mani- 
 
 They fear for 
 the future cf 
 their children 
 
 [fold 
 
The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 mani-] 
 
 A desire to 
 preach the 
 gospel in new 
 countries 
 
 Prefer the 
 English Colo- 
 nies in America 
 
 fold temptations of the place, were drawne away by 
 evill examples into extravagante and dangerous courses, 
 getting the raines off their neks and departing from 
 their parents. Some became souldiers, others took upon 
 them farr viages by sea ; and others some worse courses, 
 tending to dissolitnes, and the danger of their soules, 
 to the great greefe of their parents and dishonour of 
 God. So that they saw their posteritie would be in 
 danger to degenerate and be corrupted. 
 
 Lastly, (and which was not least) a great hope, for 
 the propagating and advancing the gospell of the king- 
 dom of Christ in those remote parts of the world ; 
 yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones, 
 unto others for the performing of so great a work. 
 
 The place they had thoughts on was some of those 
 vast, and unpeopled countries of America, which are 
 fruitfull, and fitt for habitation ; being devoyd of all 
 civill inhabitants ; Some were ernest for Guiana, others 
 were for some parts of Virginia, wher the English 
 had already made enterance, and begining. 
 
 But at length the conclusion was, to live as a dis- 
 tincte body by them selves, under the generall Gov- 
 erment of Virginia ; and by their friends to sue to his 
 majestic that he would be pleased to grant them free- 
 dome of Religion; whereupon .2. were clos(i9)en 
 
The Arrival /;/ England 
 
 and sent in to England, who found the Virginia Com- 
 pany very desirous to have them goe thither. And 
 wiUing to grante them a patent, with ample privileges. 
 And some of the cheefe of that company douted not 
 to obtaine their suite of the king for liberty in Reli- 
 gion, and to have it confirmed under the kings broad 
 scale, according to their desires. Yet it could not be 
 effected ; yet thus far they prevailed, in sounding his 
 majesties mind, that he would connive at them, and 
 not molest them (provided they carried themselves 
 peacably). 
 
 They arrive in England and prepare to em- 
 hark for the New World. 
 
 AT length, a smale ship was bought, and fitted 
 in Holand, which was intended as to serve to 
 help to transport them, so to stay in the cuntrie and 
 taend upon fishing and shuch other affairs as might 
 he for the good and benefite of the colonic when they 
 came ther. Another* was hired at London, of burden 
 about .9. score ; and all other things gott in readines. 
 So being ready to departe, they had a day of solleme 
 humiliation. And the time being come that they must 
 
 * The first ship, The Speedwell; the second, The Mayflower. 
 
 Attempt to 
 obtain a charter 
 from the King 
 
 They prepare to 
 leave Holland 
 
 [departe, 
 
lO 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 must 
 
 Services on the 
 eve of their 
 departure 
 
 cieparte, they were accompanied with most ot their 
 brethren out of the citie, unto a towne sundrie miles 
 of called Delfes-Haven, wher the ship lay ready to 
 receive them. So they lefte the goodly and pleasante 
 cities, which had been their resting place near .12. 
 years ; but they knew they were pilgrimes, and looked 
 not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to 
 the heavens, their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their 
 spirits. When they (37) came to the place they found 
 the ship and all things ready ; and shuch of their 
 friends as could not come with them followed after 
 them, and sundrie also came from Amsterdame to see 
 them shipte and to take their leave of them. That night 
 was spent with little sleepe by the most, but with 
 friendly entertainmente and christian discourse and 
 other reall expressions of true christian love. The next 
 day, the wind being faire, they went abord, and their 
 friends with them, where truly dolfull was the sight 
 of that sadd and mournfull parting; to see what sighs 
 and sobs and praires did sound amongst them, what 
 tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches 
 peirst each harte ; that sundry of the Dutch strangers 
 that stood on the key as spectators, could not refraine 
 from tears. Yet comfortable and sweete it was to see 
 shuch lively and true expressions of dear and unfained 
 
I 2 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 unfained] 
 
 Sorrowful part- 
 ing from the 
 Dutch port 
 
 The Speedwell 
 is found to leak 
 
 love. But the (tide which stays for no man) caUng 
 them away that were were thus loathe to departe, 
 their Reve(ren)d pastor falling downe on his knees, 
 (and they all with him,) with watrie cheeks com- 
 mended them with most fervente praiers to the Lord 
 and his blessing. And then with mutuall imprases and 
 many tears, they tooke their leaves one of an other; 
 which proved to be the last leave to many of them. 
 Thus hoysing saile, 22nd July, with a prosperus 
 winde they came in a short time to Southamton, 
 wher they found the bigger ship come from London, 
 lying ready, with all the rest of their company. 
 
 The SFEEYy'^Ehh returns to Vlyuoxjt wand the 
 Mayflower starts the Journey alone. 
 
 THEY sett sayle from thence aboute the .5. of 
 August. Being thus put to sea they had not 
 gone farr, but Mr. Reinolds the m(aste)r of the lesser 
 ship then complained that he found his ship so 
 leak as he durst not put further to sea till she was 
 mended. So the m(aste)r of the biger ship (caled Mr. 
 Joans) being consulted with, they both resolved to put 
 into Dartmouth and have her searched and mended, 
 which accordingly was done, to their great charg and 
 
The Mayflower Proceeds Alo?ie 
 
 13 
 
 losse of time and a faire winde. She was hear thor- 
 owly searcht from steme to sterne, some leaks were 
 found and mended, and now it was conceived by the 
 workmen and all, that she was sufficiente, and they 
 might proceede without either fear or danger. So with 
 good hopes from hence, they put to sea againe, con- 
 ceiving they should goe comfortably on, not looking 
 for any more lets of this kind ; but it fell out other- 
 wise, for after they were gone to sea againe above 
 .100. leagues without the Lands End, houlding com- 
 pany togeather all this while, the m(aste)r of the small 
 ship complained his ship was so leake as he must beare 
 up or sinke at sea, for they could scarce free her with 
 much pumping. So they came to consultation againe, 
 and resolved both ships to bear up back backe againe 
 and put into Plimmoth, which accordingly was done. 
 But no spetiall leake could be founde, but it was judged 
 to be the generall weakness of the shipe, and that shee 
 would not prove sufficiente for the voiage. Upon 
 which it was resolved to dismise her and part of the 
 company, and proceede with the other shipe. 
 
 Sept. 6, these troubles being blowne over, and no 
 wall being compacte togeather in one shipe, they put 
 to sea againe with a prosperus winde, which continued 
 diverce days togeather, which was some incourage- 
 
 The Mayflower 
 must journey 
 alone 
 
 They have fair 
 winds and good 
 weather 
 
 [mente 
 
14 
 
 T^he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 incouraLte- 
 
 An example ot 
 justice 
 
 The ship meets 
 severe storms 
 
 mente unto them ; yet according to the usuall maner 
 many were afflicted with sea-sicknes. 
 
 And I may not omite hear a spetiall worke of Gods 
 providence. Ther was a proud and very profane 
 yonge man, one of the seamen, of a lustie, able body, 
 which made him the more hauty; he would allway 
 be contemning the poore people in their sicknes, and 
 cursing them dayly with gree(v)ous execrations, and 
 did not let to tell them, that he hoped to help to cast 
 halfe of them over board before they came to their 
 jurneys end, and to make mery with what they had; 
 and if he were by any gently reproved, he would curse 
 and swear most bitterly. But it pl(e)ased God before 
 they came halfe seas over, to smite this yonge man 
 with a greeveous disease of which he dyed in a des- 
 perate maner, and so was him selfe the first that was 
 throwne overbord. Thus his curses light on his owne 
 head; and it was an astonishmente to all his fellows, 
 for they noted it to be the just hand of God upon him. 
 
 After they had injoyed faire winds and weather for a 
 season, they were incountred many times with crosse 
 winds, and mette with many feirce stormes, with which 
 the shipe was shroudly shaken, and her upper works 
 made very leakie; and one of the maine beames in the 
 midd ships was bowed and craked, which put them in 
 
The Mayflowkr Procecfh' Alo?ie 
 
 some tear that the shipe could not be able to performe 
 the x'ioage. So some of the cheefe of the company, per- 
 celvelng the mariners to feare the suffisiencie of the 
 shIpe, as appeared by their mutterings, they entred into 
 serious consullation with the m(aste)r and other officers 
 of the ship, to consider in time of the danger ; and rather 
 to returne then to cast them selves into a desperate and 
 inevitable peril!. And truly ther was great distraction 
 and differance of oppinion amongst the mariners them 
 selves ; faine would they doe what could be done for 
 their wages sake, (being now halfe the seas over,) and 
 on the other hand they were loath to hazard their lives 
 too desperatly. But in examening of all oppinions, the 
 m(aste)r and others affirmed they knew the ship to be 
 stronge and firme underwater ; and for the buckling of 
 the maine beame, ther was a great iron scrue the pas- 
 sengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the 
 beame into his place ; the which being done, the car- 
 penter and m(aste)r affirmed that with a post put under 
 it, set firme in the lower deck, and otherways bounde, 
 he would make it sufficients And as for the decks and 
 uper workes they would calke them as well as they could, 
 and though with the workeing of the ship they (46) 
 would not longe keepe stanch, yet ther would otherwise 
 be no great danger, if they did not overpress her with 
 
 Thej resolve 
 to proceed 
 
 [sails 
 
i6 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 with] 
 
 A member is 
 saved by an act 
 of Providence 
 
 sails. So they commited them selves to the will of God, 
 and resolved to proseede. 
 
 In sundrie of these stormes the windes were so fierce 
 and the seas so high, as they could not beare a knote 
 of saile, but were forced to hull,* for diverce days to- 
 gither. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull, 
 in a mighty storme, a lustie yonge man (called John 
 Rowland) coming upon some occasion above the 
 grattings, was, with a seelef of the shipe throwne into 
 (the) sea ; but it pleased God that he caught hould of 
 the top-saile halliards, which hunge over board, and 
 rane out at length ; yet he held his hould (though he 
 was sundrie fadomes under water) till he was hald up 
 by the same rope to the brime of the water, and then 
 with a boathooke and other means got into the shipe 
 againe, and his life saved; and though he was some- 
 thing ill with it, yet he lived many years after, and 
 became a profitable member both in church and 
 commone wealthe. In all this viage ther died but one 
 of the passengers, which was William Butten, a youth, 
 servant to Samuell Fuller, when they drew near the 
 coast. But to omite other things, (that I may be breefe,) 
 after longe beating at sea they fell with that land 
 
 * " Wee strucke all sayles, and suffered our ship to bee tossed too and fro by 
 waves all that night (which Mariners call lying at Hull)." 
 t Roll or pitch of the vessel. 
 
The Mayflower Proceeds Alone 
 
 17 
 
 which is called Cape Cod ; the which being made 
 and certainly knowne to be it, they were not a little 
 joy full. After some deliberation had amongst them 
 selves and with the m(aste)r of the ship, they tacked 
 aboute and resolved to stande for the southward (the 
 wind and weather being faire) to finde some place 
 aboute Hudsons river for their habitation. But after 
 they had sailed that course aboute halfe the day, they 
 fell amongst deanerous shoulds and roring breakers, 
 and they were so farr intangled ther with as they 
 conceived them selves in great danger ; and the wind 
 shrinking upon them withall, they resolved to bear up 
 againe for the Cape, and thought them selves hapy 
 to gett out of those dangers before night overtooke 
 them, as by Gods good providence they did. And the 
 next day they gott into the Cape-harbor wher they 
 ridd in saftie. A word or too by the way of this 
 cape ; it was thus first named by Capten Gosnole and 
 his company. Anno: 1602, and after by Capten Smith 
 was caled Cape James; but it retains the former name 
 amongst sea-men. Also that pointe which first shewed 
 those dangerous shoulds unto them, they called Pointe 
 Care, and Tuckers Terrour ; but the French and Dutch 
 to this day call it Malabarr, by reason of those peri- 
 lous shoulds, and the losses they have suffered their. 
 
 They reach the 
 waters about 
 Cape Cod 
 
 [Being 
 
i8 
 
 "The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 their. 
 
 They give 
 thanks for safe 
 arrival 
 
 A small party 
 goes ashore 
 
 Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe 
 to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the 
 God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast 
 and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the 
 periles and miseries therof, againe to set their feete 
 on the firme and stable earth, theyr proper elemenee. 
 
 Showing how they sought out a Place <9y^ 
 Habitation and what befell them, 
 
 BEING thus arrived at Cap-Cod the .11. of Novem- 
 ber, and necessitie calling them to lookeout a 
 place for habitaeion, (as well as the maisters and 
 mariners importunitie,) they having brought a large 
 sholop with them out of England, stowed in quar- 
 ters in the ship, they now gott her out and sett 
 their carpenters to worke to trime her up ; but 
 being much brused and shattered in the shipe 
 with foule weather, they saw she would be longe in 
 mending. Whereupon a few of them tendered them 
 selves to goe by land and discovere those nearest 
 places, whilst the shallop was in mending ; and the 
 rather because as they wente into that harbor ther 
 seemed to be an opening some .1. or .3. leagues of, 
 which the maister judged to be a river. It was con- 
 
Seeking a Place of Hahitati 
 
 ON 
 
 19 
 
 ceived ther might be some danger in the attempte, yet 
 seeing them resolute, they were permited to goe, be- 
 ing .16. of them well armed, under the conduct of 
 Captein Standish, having shuch instructions given 
 them as was thought meete. They sett forth the .15. 
 of Nove(m)b(e)r : and when they had marched aboute 
 the space of a mile by the sea side, they espied .5. 
 or .6. persons with a dogg coming towards them, who 
 were salvages ; but they fled from them, and ranne 
 up into the woods and the English followed them, 
 partly to see if they could speake with them, and 
 partly to discover if ther might not be more of them 
 lying in ambush. But the Indeans seeing them selves 
 thus followed, they againe forsooke the woods, and 
 rane away on the sands ashard as they could, so as 
 they could not come near them, but followed them 
 by the tracte of their feet sundrie miles, and saw 
 that they had come the same way. So, night coming 
 on, they made their randevous and set out their sen- 
 tinels, and rested in quiete that night, and the next 
 morning followed their tracte till they had headed a 
 great creeke, and so left the sands, and turned an 
 other way into the woods. But they still followed 
 them by guess, hopeing to find their dwellings ; 
 but they soone lost both them and them selves, fall- 
 
 They meet 
 with a band 
 of Indians 
 
20 
 
 T'he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 fall- 
 
 Exploring the 
 land between 
 the two shores 
 
 Remains of an 
 Indian Camp 
 
 ing into shuch thickets as were ready to tear their 
 cloaths and armore in peeces, but were most dis- 
 tressed for wante of drinke. But at length they found 
 water and refreshed them selves, being the first New- 
 England water they drunke of, and was now in thir 
 great thirste as pleasante unto them as wine or bear 
 had been in for-times. Afterwards they directed their 
 course to come to the other shore, for they knew it 
 was a necke of land they were to crosse over, and so 
 at length gott to the sea-side, and marched to this 
 supposed river, by the way found a pond of clear 
 fresh water, and shortly after a good quantitie of 
 clear ground wher the Indeans had formerly set corne, 
 and some of their graves. And proceeding furder they 
 they saw newstuble wher corne had been set the same 
 year, also they found wher latly a house had been, 
 wher some planks and a great ketle was remaining, 
 and heaps of sand newly padled with their hands, 
 which they, digging up, found in them diverce faire 
 Indean baskets filled with corne, and some in eares, 
 faire and good, of diverce collours, which seemed to 
 them a very goodly sight, (haveing never seen any 
 shuch before). This was near the place of that sup- 
 posed river they came to seeck ; unto which they 
 wente and found it open it selfe into .2. armes with 
 
Skkkixcj a Placf". of Habitaiion 
 
 2 1 
 
 They return 
 to the ship 
 with some of 
 the corn 
 
 a high cHffe of sand in the enterance, but more hke 
 to be crikes of sake water then any fresh, for ought 
 they saw : and that ther was good harborige for their 
 shalope ; leaving it further to be discovered by their 
 shalop when she was ready. So their time Umeted 
 them being expired, they returned to the ship, least 
 they should be in fear of their saftie : and tooke with 
 them parte of the corne, and buried up the rest, and 
 so like the men from Eshcoll carried with them of 
 the fruits of the land, and showed their breethren ; 
 which, and their return, they were marvelusly glad 
 of and their harts incouraged. 
 After this, the shalop being got ready, they set out 
 againe for the better discovery of this place, and the 
 m(aste)r of the ship desired to goe him selfe, so ther 
 went some .30. men, but found it to be no harbor for 
 ships but only for boats ; ther was allso found .2. of 
 their houses covered with matts, and sundrie of their 
 implements in them, but the people were rune away 
 and could not be seen ; also ther was found more of 
 their corne, and of their beans of various collours. 
 The corne and beans they brought away, purposing 
 to give them full satisfaction when they should meete 
 with any of them (as about some .6, months afterward 
 they did, to their good contente). And here is to be 
 
 They use the 
 corn and beans 
 for seed 
 
 [noted 
 
22 
 
 T'he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 DEXTER'S MAP OF THE EXPLORATIONS 
 
 be] 
 
 noted a spetiall providence of God, and a great mercie 
 to this poore people, that hear they gott seed to plant 
 them corne the next yeare, or els they might have 
 starved, for they had none, nor any liklyhood to get 
 any till the season had been past (as the sequell did 
 manyfest). Neither is it lickly they had had this, if 
 the first viage had not been made, for the ground was 
 now all covered with snow, and hard frosen. But the 
 Lord is never wanting unto his in their greatest needs ; 
 let his holy name have all the praise. 
 
T'hey Encounter the Indians 
 
 23 
 
 'They have their first Encounter with the 
 Indians a?id drive them away. 
 
 THE month of November being spente in thess af- 
 fairs, and much foule weather falhng in, the .6. 
 of Desem(be)r they sent out their shallop againe with 
 .10. of their principall men, and some sea men, upon 
 further discovery, intending to circulate that deepe 
 bay of Cap-Codd. The weather was very could, and 
 it frose so hard as the sprea of the sea lighting on 
 their coats, they were as if they had been glased ; yet 
 that night betimes they gott downe into the botome 
 of the bay, and as they drue nere the shore they saw 
 some .10. or .12. Indeans very busie aboute some 
 thing. They landed aboute a league or .2. from them, 
 and had much a doe to put a shore any wher, it lay 
 so full of flats. Being landed, it grew late and they 
 made themselves a barricado with loggs and bowes 
 as well as they could in the time, and set out their 
 sentinell and betooke them to rest, and saw the smoake 
 of the fire the savages made that night. When morn- 
 ing was come they devided their company, some to 
 coast along the shore in the boate, and the rest 
 marched throw the wood to see the land, if any fit 
 
 The weather 
 becomes very 
 cold 
 
 They form two 
 parties for 
 exploring 
 
 [place 
 
24 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 fit! 
 
 They are 
 aroused in 
 the night 
 
 place might be for their dwelHng. They came allso 
 to the place wher they saw the Ind(i)ans the night 
 before, and found they had been cuting up a great 
 fish like a grampus, being some .1. inches thike of 
 fate like a hogg, some peeces wher of they had left 
 by the way ; and the shallop found .2, more of these 
 fishes dead on the sands, a thing usuall after storms 
 in that place, by reason of the great flats of sand that 
 lye of. So they ranged up and doune that day, but 
 found no people, nor any place they liked. When the 
 sune greu low, they hasted out of the wood to mete 
 with their shallop, to whom they made signes to come 
 to them into a creeke hardby, the which they did at 
 high water; of which they were very glad, for they 
 had not seen each other all that day, since the morn- 
 ing. So they made them a barricado (as usually they did 
 every night) with loggs, stakes, and thike pine bowes, 
 the height of a man, leaving it open to leeward, part- 
 ly to shelter them from the could and wind (making 
 their fire in the midle, and lying round about it), and 
 partly to defend them from any sudden assaults of the 
 savages, if they should surround them. So being very 
 weary, they betooke them to rest. But aboute mid- 
 night, they heard a hideous and great crie, and their 
 sentinell caled, Arme, arme ; so they bestired them 
 
They Encountkr the Indians 
 
 25 
 
 and stood to their armes, and shote of a cupple ot 
 moskets, and then the noys seased. They concluded 
 it was a companie of wolv^es, or such hke willd beasts; 
 for one of the sea men toukl them he had often heard 
 shuch a noyse in New-found kind. So they rested till 
 about .5. of the clock in the morning; for the tide, 
 and ther purposs to goe from thence, made them be 
 stiring betimes. So after praier they prepared for break- 
 fast, and it being day dawning, it was thought best to 
 be caring things downe to the boate. But some said 
 it was not best to carrie the armes downe, others said 
 they would be the readier, for they had laped them 
 up in their coats from the dew. But some .3. or .4. 
 would not cary theirs till they wente them selves, yet 
 as it fell out, the water being not high enough, they 
 layed them downe on the banke side, and came up to 
 breakfast. But presently, all on the sudaine, they heard 
 a great and strange crie, which they knew to be the 
 same v^oyces they heard in the night, though they 
 v^aried their notes, anci one of their company being 
 abroad came runing in, and cried, Men, Indeans, 
 Indeans; and withall, their arrowes came flying 
 amongst them. Their men ran with all speed to re- 
 cov^er their armes, as by the good providence of God 
 they did. In the mean time, of those that were ther 
 
 Attacked by 
 tluf Indians 
 
 idv 
 
26 
 
 'The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 therl 
 
 Their enemies 
 are put to 
 flight 
 
 ready, tow muskets were discharged at them, and .2. 
 more stood ready, in the enterance of ther randevoue, 
 but were comanded not to shoote till they could take 
 full aime at them ; and the other .2. charged againe 
 with all speed, for ther were only .4. had arms ther, 
 and defended the baricado which was first assaulted. 
 The crie of the Indeans was dreadfull, espetially when 
 they saw ther men rune out of the randevoue to- 
 wourds the shallop to recover ther amies the Indeans 
 wheeling about them. But some running out with 
 coats of malle on, and cutlashess in their hands, they 
 soone got their amies, and let flye amongs them, and 
 quickly stopped their violence. Yet ther was a lustie 
 man, and no less valiante, stood behind a tree within 
 halfe a musket shot, and let his arrows flie at them. He 
 was seen shoot .3. arrowes, which were all avoyded. 
 He stood .3. shot of a musket, till one taking full 
 aime at him, and made the barke or splinters of the 
 tree fly about his ears, after which he gave an extra- 
 ordinary shrike, and away they wente all of them. 
 They left some to keep the shalop, and followed them 
 aboute a quarter of a mille, and shouted once or twise, 
 and shot of .2. or .3. peces, and so returned. This they 
 did, that they might conceive that they were not af- 
 frade of them or any way discouraged. Thus it pleased 
 
They Encountkr the Indians 
 
 MAP OF PLYMOUTH HARBOR 
 
 God to vanquish their enimies, and give them deHv- 
 erance; and by his spetiall providence so to dispose 
 that not any one of them were either hurte, or hitt, 
 though their arrows came close by them, and on 
 every side (of) them, and sundry of their coats, which 
 
 [hunge 
 
28 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 which] 
 
 Searching for 
 a safe harbor 
 
 They lose the 
 mast and sail 
 
 hunge up in the barricado, were shot throw and 
 throw. Afterwards they gave God sollemne thanks 
 and praise for their dehverance, and gathered up a 
 bundle of their arrows, and sente them into England 
 afterward by the m(aste)r of the ship, and called that 
 place the first encounter. From hence they departed, 
 and costed all along, but discerned no place likly for 
 harbor ; and therefore hasted to a place that their pil- 
 lote, (one Mr, Coppin who had bine in tha cuntrie 
 before) did assure them was a good harbor, which he 
 had been in, and they might fetch if before night ; of 
 which they were glad, for it begane to be foule 
 weather. After some houres sailing, it begane to snow 
 and raine, and about the midle of the afternoone, the 
 wind increased, and the sea became very rough, and 
 they broake their rudder, and it was as much as .1. 
 men could doe to steere her with a cupple of oares. 
 But their pillott bad them be of good cheere, for he 
 saw the harbor ; but the storme increasing, and night 
 drawing on, they bore what saile they could to gett 
 in, while they could see. But herwith they broake 
 their mast in .3. peeces, and their saill fell over bord, 
 in a very grown sea, so as they had like to have been 
 cast away ; yet by Gods mercie they recovered them 
 selves, and having the floud with them, struck into 
 
} 
 
30 
 
 T'he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 into 
 
 They spent 
 the night by a 
 small island 
 
 the harbore. But when it came too, the pillott was 
 deceived in the place, and said, the Lord be merci- 
 full unto them, for his eyes never saw that place be- 
 fore; and he and the m(aste)r mate would have rune 
 her ashore, in a cove full of breakers, before the 
 winde. But a lusty seaman which steered, bad those 
 which rowed, if they were men, about with her, or 
 ells they were all cast away : the which they did 
 with speed. So he bid them be of good cheere and 
 and row lustly, for there was a faire sound before 
 them, and he doubted not but they should find one 
 place or other wher they might tide in saftie. And 
 though it was very darke, and rained sore, yet in the 
 end they gott under the lee of a smalle iland, and re- 
 mained ther all that night in saftie. But they knew 
 not this to be an iland till morning, but were devi- 
 ded in their minds : some would keepe the boate for 
 fear they might be amongst the Indians : others were 
 so weake and could, they could not endure, but got 
 a shore, and with much adoe got fire, (all things be- 
 ing so wett,) and the rest were glad to come to 
 them ; for after midnight the wind shifted to the 
 north-west, and it frose hard. But though this had 
 been a day and night of much trouble and danger 
 unto them, yet God gave them a morning of comforte 
 
T'hey Encounter the Indians 
 
 31 
 
 and refreshing (as usually he doth to his children), 
 for the next day was a faire sunshininge day, and they 
 found them sellves to be on an iland secure from the 
 Indeans, wher they might drie ther stufe, fixe their 
 peeces, and rest them selves, and gave God thanks for 
 his mercies, in their manifould deUverances. And 
 this being the last day of the weeke, they prepared 
 ther to keepe the Sabath. On Munday they sounded 
 the harbor, and founde it fitt for shipping; and 
 marched into the land, and found diverse corn-feilds, 
 and little runing brooks, a place (as they supposed) 
 fitt for situation ; at least it was the best they could 
 find, and the season, and their presente necessitie, 
 made them glad to accepte of it. So they returned 
 to their shipp againe with this news to the rest of their 
 people, which did much comforte their harts. 
 
 On the .15. of Desem(be)r: they wayed anchor to 
 goe to the place they had discovered, and came within 
 .2. leagues of it, but were faine to bear up againe ; but 
 the .16. day thewinde came faire, and they arrived 
 safe in this harbor. And after wards tooke better view 
 of the place, and resolved wher to pitch ther dwel- 
 ling; and the .25. day begane to erect the first 
 house for commone use to receive them and their 
 goods. 
 
 Decide on 
 a place of 
 habitation 
 
 [I shall 
 
l^he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 T^hey form a Compact and make a Treaty 
 (^Z Peace w///^ Massasoit. 
 
 roods, 
 
 The Compact 
 
 I SHALL returne backe and begine with a combination 
 made by them before they came a shore, being the 
 first foundation of their govermente in this place ; oc- 
 cassioned partly by the discontented and mutinous 
 speeches that some of the strangers amongst them had 
 let fall from them in the ship ; That when they came 
 a shore they would use thier owne libertie ; tor none 
 had power to command them, the patente they had 
 being for Virginia, and not for New england, which 
 belonged to an other Goverment, with which the 
 Virginia Company had nothing to doe. And partly 
 that shuch an acte by them done (this their condition 
 considered) might be as firme as any patent, and in 
 some respects more sure. 
 
 The forme was as followeth. 
 
 In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are 
 underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread sover- 
 aigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of 
 Great Britaine, Franc, and Ireland king, defender of 
 the faith, etc. 
 
 Haveing undertaken, for the glorie of God, and 
 advancemente of the Christian faith, and honour of 
 
34 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 of] 
 
 John Carver 
 is appointed 
 governor 
 
 our king and countrie, a voyage to plant the first col- 
 onie in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these 
 presents solemly and mutualy in the presence of God, 
 and one another, covenant and combine our selves to- 
 geather into a civill body politick, for our better or- 
 dering and preservation and furtherance of the ends 
 aforesaid ; and by vertue hereof to enacte, constitute 
 and frame shuch just and equall lawes, ordinances, 
 acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as 
 shall be thought most meete and convenient for the 
 generall good of the Colonic, unto which we promise 
 all due submission and obedience. In witnes whereof 
 we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd 
 the .II. of November, in the year of the raigne of 
 our soveraigne lord. King James, of England, France, 
 and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fiftie 
 fourth. Anno Dom. 1620. 
 
 After this they chose, or rather confirmed, Mr. John 
 Carver (a man godly and well approved amongst them) 
 their Governour for that yerr. And after they had 
 provided a place for their goods, or comone store, 
 (which were long in unlading for want of boats, 
 foulnes of the winter weather, and sickness of diverce,) 
 and begune some small cottages for their habitation, 
 as time would admitte, they mette and consulted of 
 
36 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 of] 
 
 Half of their 
 company die of 
 the plague 
 
 lawes and orders, both for their civill and military 
 Govermente, as the necessitie of their condition did 
 require, still adding therunto as urgent occasion in 
 severall times, and as cases did require. 
 
 In these hard and difficulte beginings they found 
 some discontents and murmurings arise amongst some, 
 and mutinous speeches and carriages in other; but 
 they were soone quelled and overcome by the wisdome, 
 patience, and just and equall carrage of things by 
 the Gov(erno)r and better part, which clave faithfully 
 togeather in the maine. But that which was most 
 sadd and lamentable was, that in .2. or .3. moneths 
 time halfe of their company dyed, espetialy in Jan : 
 and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting 
 houses and other comforts ; being infected with the 
 scurvie and other diseases, which this long voiage 
 and their inacomodate condition had brought upon 
 them; so as ther dyed some times .2. or .3. of a day, 
 in the aforesaid time; that of .100. and off persons, 
 scarce .50. remained. And of these in the time of 
 most distres, ther was but .6. or .7. sound persons, 
 who, to their great comendations be it spoken, spared 
 no pains, night nor day, but with abundance of toyle 
 and hazard of their owne health, fetched them woode, 
 made them fires, drest them meat, made their beads. 
 
38 
 
 l^he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 beads,] 
 
 The few well 
 people nurse 
 the sick 
 
 The Indians 
 approach the 
 
 settlement 
 
 washed their lothsome cloaths, cloathed and un- 
 cloathed them ; in a word, did all the homly and 
 necessarie offices tor them which dainty and quesie 
 stomacks cannot endure to hear named ; and all 
 this willingly and cherfuUy, without any grudging 
 in the least, shewing herein their true love unto their 
 friends and bretheren. 
 All this while the Indians came skulking about them, 
 and would sometimes show them selves aloofe of, but 
 when any aproached near them, they would rune away. 
 And once they stoale away their tools wher they had 
 been at worke, and were gone to diner. But about 
 the .16. of March a certaine Indian came bouldly 
 amongst them, and spoke to them in broken English, 
 which they could well understand, but marvelled at 
 it. At length they understood by discourse with him, 
 that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the 
 easterne parts, wher some English-ships came to 
 fhish, with whom he was a aquainted, and could name 
 sundrie of them by their names, amongst whom he 
 had gott his language. He became prof(i) table to 
 them in aqauinting them with many thmgs concern- 
 ing the state of the cuntry in the east-parts wher he 
 lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them , 
 as also of the people hear, of their names, number. 
 
40 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 number,] 
 
 Samoset visits 
 the company 
 
 They make a 
 treaty with 
 Massasoit 
 
 and strength ; of their situation and distance from 
 this place, and who was cheefe amongst them. His 
 name was Samasett ; he tould them also of another 
 Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, 
 who had been in England and could speake better 
 English then him selfe. Being, after some time of 
 entertammente and gifts, dismist, a while after he 
 came againe, and .5. more with him, and they brought 
 againe all the tooles that were stolen away before, 
 and made way for the coming of their great Sachem, 
 called Massasoyt ; who, about .4. or .5. days after, 
 came with the cheefe of his freinds and other at- 
 tendance, with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, 
 after frendly entertainment and some gifts given him, 
 they made a peace with him (which hath now continued 
 this .24. years) in these terms. 
 
 .1. That neither he nor any of his, should injurie 
 or doe hurte to any of their peopl(e). 
 
 .2. That if any of his did any hurte to any of theirs, 
 he should send the offender, that they might punish him. 
 
 .3. That if any thing were taken away from any of 
 theirs, he should cause it to be restored ; and they 
 should doe the like to his. 
 
 .4. If any did unjustly warr against him, they would aide 
 him ; if any did warr against them, he should aide them. 
 
l^hc Compact afid Trkatv of Peace 
 
 4' 
 
 .5. He should send to his neighbours confederates, to 
 certifie them of this, that they might not wrong them, but 
 might be Hkewise comprised in the conditions of peace. 
 
 .6. That when ther men came to them, they should 
 lea\'e their bows and arrows behind them. 
 
 After these things he returned to his place caled 
 Sowams, some .40 mile from this place, but Squanto 
 continued with them and was their interpreter, and was 
 a spetiall instrument sent of God for their good be- 
 yond their expectation. He directed them how to 
 set their corne, wher to take fish, and to procure 
 other comodities, and was also their pilott to bring 
 them to unknowne places for their profitt, and never 
 left them till he dyed. He was a native of this place, 
 and scarce any left alive besides him selfe. He was 
 caried away with diverce others by one Hunt, a 
 m (aster) of a ship, who thought to sell them for slaves 
 in Spaine ; but he got away for England, and was 
 entertained by a marchante in London, and imployed 
 to New-found-land and other parts, and lastly brought 
 hither into these parts by one Mr. Dermer, a gentle- 
 man imployed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others, 
 for discovery, and other designes in these parts. Of 
 whom I shall say some thing, because it is mentioned 
 in a booke set forth Anno : 1622. bv the Presidente 
 
 iVlassasoit 
 teaches them 
 to procure 
 their tood 
 
42 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 Presidentel 
 
 and Counsell for New-England, that he made the 
 peace betweene the salvages of these parts and the 
 English ; of which this plantation, as it is intimated, 
 had the benefite. 
 
 The ship pre- 
 pares to leave 
 for England 
 
 They suffer from Famine and many of the 
 Company die of the Plague. 
 
 THEY now begane to dispatch the ship away which 
 brought them over, which lay tille aboute this 
 time, or the begining of Aprill. The reason on their parts 
 why she stayed so long, was the necessitie and danger 
 that lay upon them, for it was well towards the ends of 
 Desember before she could land any thing hear, or 
 they able to receive any thing a shore. Afterwards, 
 the .14. of Jan(uary) the house which they had made 
 for a generall randevoze by casu(a)lty fell afire, and 
 so some were faine to retire abord the shilter. Then 
 the sicknes begane to fall sore amongst them, and 
 the weather so bad as they could not make much 
 sooner any dispatch. Againe, the Gov(ernor) and 
 cheefe of them, seeing so many dye, and fall downe 
 sick dayly, thought it no wisdom to send away the 
 ship, their condition considered, and the danger they 
 stood in from the Indeans, till they could procure 
 
^J licy Si^JJcr Jrom V a m i x t: a?id P i.agu i- 
 
 43 
 
 some shelter ; and thertore thought it better to draw 
 some more charge upon them selves and freinds, then 
 hazard all. The m(aste)r and seamen likewise, though 
 before they hasted the passengers a shore to be goone, 
 now many of their men being dead, and of the ablest 
 o[ them, (as is before noted,) and of the rest many 
 lay sick and weake, the m(aste)r durst not put to sea, 
 till he saw his men begine to recover, and the hart 
 of winter over. 
 
 Afterwards they (as many as were able) began to 
 plant ther corne, in which servise Squanto stood them 
 in great stead, showing them both the maner how 
 to set it, and after how to dress and tend it. Also 
 he tould them excepte they gott fish and set with it 
 (in these old grounds) it would come to nothing, and 
 he showed them that in the midle of Aprill they should 
 have store enough come up the brooke, by which they 
 began to build, and taught them how to take it, and 
 wher to get other provisions necessary for them ; 
 all which they found true by triall and experience. 
 Some English seed they sew, as wheat and pease, 
 but it came not to good, eather by the badnes of the 
 seed, or latenes ot the season, or both, or some other 
 defecte. In this month of xAprill whilst they were 
 busie about their seed, their Gov(ernor) (Mr. John 
 
 Prevented from 
 sailing by the 
 small crew 
 
 Squanto 
 teaches them 
 the planting 
 
 [Carver) 
 
44 
 
 T^he Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 John] 
 
 Death of 
 Governor 
 Carver 
 
 William 
 Bradtbrd is 
 chosen to 
 succeed John 
 Carver 
 
 Carver) came out of the feild very sick, it being a 
 hott day ; he complained greatly of his head, and 
 lay downe, and within a few howers his sences failed, 
 so as he never spake more till he dyed, which was within 
 a few days after. Whoss death was much lamented, 
 and caused great heavines amongst them, as ther 
 was cause. He was buried in the best maner they 
 could, with some vollies of shott by all that bore armes ; 
 and his wife, being a weak woman, dyed within 
 .5. or .6. weeks after him. 
 
 Shortly after William Bradford was chosen Gove(rno)r 
 in his stead, and being not yet recovered of his li- 
 nes, in which he had been near the point of death, 
 Isaack Allerton was chosen to be an Assisante unto 
 him, who, by renewed election every year, continued 
 sundry years togeather, which I hear note once for all. 
 
 Gaveing in some sorte ordered their business at home, 
 it was thought meete to send some abroad to see their 
 new freind Massasoyet, and to bestow upon him some 
 gratuitie to bind him the faster unto them ; as also 
 that hearby they might view the countrie, and see 
 in what maner he lived, what strength he had aboute 
 him, and how the ways were to his place, if at any 
 time they should have occasion. So the .2. of July 
 they sente Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. Hopkins, 
 
"They Suffer' from Famink a?id Plague 
 
 45 
 
 with the fore said Squanto for ther guid, who gave 
 
 him a suite of cloaths, and a horse-mans coate, with J^^mey to the 
 
 home of Mass 
 
 some other small things, which were kindly accepted ; 
 but they found but short commons, and came both 
 weary and hungrie home. For the Indeans used then 
 to have nothing so much corne as they have since 
 the English have stored them with their hows, and 
 scene their industrie in breaking up new-grounds 
 therwith. They found his place to be .40. myles from 
 hence, the soyle good, and the people not many, 
 being dead and abundantly wasted in the late great 
 mortalitie which fell in all these parts aboute three 
 years before the coming of the English, wherin thou- 
 sands of them dyed ; they not being able to burie one 
 another, ther souls and bones were found in many 
 places lying still above ground, where their houses 
 and dwellings had been ; a very sad spectackle to 
 behould. But they brought word that the Narig- 
 hansets lived but on the other side of that great bay, 
 and were a strong people, and many in number, living 
 compacte togeather, and had not been at all touched 
 with this wasting plague. 
 After this, the .18. of Sep(t)ember they sente out ther 
 shalop to the Massachusetts, with .10. men, and 
 Squanto for their guid and interpreter, to discover 
 
 They find the 
 Indians victims 
 of the plague 
 
 [and 
 
46 
 
 The Mayflower Pilgrims 
 
 and view that bay, and trade with the natives ; the 
 which they performed, and found kind entertainement. 
 The people were much affraid of the Tarentins, a 
 people to the eastward which used to come in harvest 
 time and take away their corne, and many times 
 kill their persons. They returned in saftie, and 
 brought home a good quan(ti)ty of beaver, and made 
 reporte of the place, wishing they had been ther seated ; 
 (but it seems the Lord, who assignes to all men the 
 bounds of their habitations, had apoynted it for an 
 other use). And thus they found the Lord to be with 
 them in all their ways, and to blesse their outgoings 
 and incommings, for which let his holy name have 
 he praise for ever, to all posteritie. 
 They begane now to gather in the small harvest 
 they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings 
 against winter, being all well recovered in health 
 and strenght, and had all things in good plenty ; 
 for as some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, 
 others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, and bass, 
 and other fish, of which they tooke good store, of 
 which every family had their portion. All the sommer 
 ther was no wante. And now begane to come in store 
 of foule, as winter aproached, of which this place did 
 abound when they came first (but afterward de- 
 
 The first 
 harvest 
 
They Suffer f'o/n i^' am ink anri Plague 
 
 47 
 
 creased by degrees). And besides water foule, ther was 
 great store of wild Turkies, of which they tooke man)', 
 besides venison, etc. Besides they had a boute a 
 peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, 
 Indean corne to that proportion. Which made many 
 afterwards write so largely of their plenty hear to their 
 freinds in England, which were not fained, but true 
 reports. 
 
 Their condition 
 and provisions 
 improve 
 
 
 THE WINSLOW HOUSE AT M.aUnixLLL 
 Built in i6<;9 and restored for the Pilgrim Tercentenary in igzo 
 
Appendixes 
 
Nov. 
 
 6 
 
 Nov. 
 
 9 
 
 Nov. 
 
 11 
 
 Nov. 
 
 15 
 
 Dec. 
 
 4 
 
 Appendix I: Chronology 
 
 THE VOYAGE— 1620 
 
 Died at sea William Butten 
 
 Make the land of Cape Cod 
 
 Making the solemn compact — Election of Mr. 
 
 John Carver their Governor — 15 or 16 armed 
 
 men land but find neither house nor person 
 
 Start on explorations — First sight of savages 
 
 Dies Edward Thompson, servant of Mr. White, 
 
 first that dies since their arrival 
 Dec. 11 They find Plymouth Harbor fit for shipping 
 Dec. 15 The ship sails for this new found port 
 Dec. 18 They land with the Master of the ship and 3 or 4 
 
 sailors — Find choice ground formerly possessed 
 
 and planted 
 Dec. 20 They conclude to settle on the main on a high 
 
 ground facing the bay where corn had been planted 
 
 3 or 4 years before 
 Dec. 21 Dies Richard Britteridge the first who does at 
 
 this harbor 
 Dec. 25 They begin to erect the first house about 20 feet 
 
 square for their common use 
 Dec. 31 Lord's Day — They give the name of Plymouth in 
 
 grateful memory of the last town they left in their 
 
 native land 
 
 THE SETTLEMENT — 162 1 
 
 Jan. 1 The people at Plymouth go betimes to work 
 Jan. 21 First public worship ashore 
 
Mar. 24 First offence John Billington adjudged to have 
 his neck and heels tied together for his contempt 
 of the Captains lawful command, but on humbling 
 himself and craving pardon, it being the first 
 offence, he is forgiven — This month 13 of our 
 number die and in three months past dies half of 
 our company ; the greatest part in the depth of the 
 winter. But the spring advancing, the mortality 
 ■ begins to cease and the sick and lame recover 
 
 Apr. 5 The Mayflower despatched back and they plant 
 their first corn 
 
 May 12 First marriage — Mr. Edward Winslow, widower, 
 to Mrs. Susanna White, 1 widow of William White 
 
 Jun. 18 The second offence — Duel with sword and dagger 
 between Edward Doty and Edward Leister, ser- 
 vants of Mr. Hopkins — one wounded in hand, 
 the other in thigh — Upon promise of better car- 
 riage they are released by the Governor 
 
 1621 
 
 Nov. "Fortune" arrived from London with 35 — 27 of 
 
 them adult males 
 Settlement called New Plymouth 
 The partnership with the London "Merchant 
 x'\dventurers" ended by buying these out 
 
 1627 
 
 A trading out-post established in Buzzard's Bay 
 to avoid the voyage over the shoals ; off Cape Cod 
 
 1628 Representation system of government adopted 
 
 1647 New England Confederation 
 
 1675-76 King Phillip's War & debt of £15,000 incurred 
 1691 
 
 Oct. The Provincial Charter of Massachusetts puts an 
 
 end to separate existence of New England 
 
Appendix II 
 
 MORTAL ITT LIST 
 
 The mortality was great among the bachelors of the 
 band, masters as well as servants, and of the 17 male 
 heads of famihes, ten died during this first infection. 
 There survived William Bradford, Edward Winslow, 
 Isaac Allerton, Capt. Myles Standish, Richard Warren, 
 John Billinton, Francis Eaton. 
 
 The Pilgrims found no natives in the place of their 
 first habitation, a plague had swept away the Indians 
 two or three years before their landing. 
 
 It may be that the germ of this plague had something 
 to do with the awful mortahty of the first three months 
 — exposure and scurvey making them susceptible 
 to the " infection." 
 
 Captain George Ernest Bowman, Editor of the 
 Mayflower Descendant has recently announced that 
 the name of Captain Richard More of Salem can be 
 added to the list of approved Mayflower ancestors. 
 Captain More came to this country in the Mayflower 
 as a boy under the care of Elder William Brewster. 
 He later moved from Plymouth to Salem and died 
 in that city at the age of 84. He was buried in the 
 Charter Street Cemetery in Salem, and his grave stone 
 
is the only known memorial to a Mayflower passenger 
 erected at the time of his death. He was twice married, 
 first to Christine Hunt, and after her death to Jane 
 Hollingsworth. 
 This will increase the number of approved Mayflower 
 ancestors to fifty, leaving fifty-four Mayflower pass- 
 engers from whom we can prove descent. 
 
 The following died in the commone infection : 
 Those marked * left issue 
 
 *Mr. John Carver and his wife, a servant and a child (4) 
 
 Mr. Edward Winslow's wife, Ellen More, Elias Storey his 
 servant (3) 
 
 Mr. Christopher Martin and his wife and 2 servants (4) 
 
 Richard More's brother (1) 
 *William Bradford's wife (1) 
 *Isaac Allerton's wife and a servant (2) 
 
 Edward Fuller's servant died at sea (1) 
 
 John Crakston (1) 
 *Mr. William Mulline's wife, his son Joseph and a servant (3) 
 *His daughter Priscilla survived and married John x'\lden 
 *Mr. William White and 2 servants (3) 
 
 (His widow married Mr. Winslow) 
 
 Captain Standish's wife Rose (1) (He married again) 
 
 Edward Tillie and his wife (2) 
 *John Tillie and his wife (2) 
 *Thomas Rogers (1) 
 
 Thomas Tinker, his wife and son (3) 
 
 John Rigdale and his wife (2) 
 
 James Chilton and his wife (2) 
 
 Edward Fuller and his wife (2) 
 
Francis Eaton's wife (1) 
 *John Turner and his two sons (3) 
 
 Moyses Fletcher (1) 
 
 Thomas Williams (1) 
 *Digerie Preist (1) 
 
 John Goodman (1) 
 
 Edmund Margeson (1) 
 
 Richard Britteridge (1) 
 
 Richard Clarke (1) 
 
 Thomas English (1) 
 
 John Allerton (1) 
 
 14 wives died in the first mortality 
 
 3 unmarried women died 
 
 18 single men died 
 
 10 married men died 
 Those who survived the infection : 
 *Mr. William Brewster and Mary his wife, 2 sons Love and 
 Wrasling 
 
 Richard More 
 
 Mr. Edward W'inslow, his servant George Sowle 
 *John Howland (Mr. John Carver's servant, who married the 
 daughter of John Tilley) 
 
 William Bradford 
 *Mr. Isaac Allerton and 3 children Bartholomew, Remember 
 
 and Mary 
 *Mr. Samuel Fuller 
 
 John Crakston's son John 
 *Captain Myles Standish 
 *Priscilla MuUines 
 
 *Mrs. William White (Married Mr. Winslow) 
 *Mr. Stephen Hopkins, Elizabeth, his wife and 4 children 
 Giles, *Constanta, Damaris, Oceanus (The last born at 
 sea) and 2 servants Edward Doty and Edward Litster 
 
Mr. Carver's servant William Latham 
 *Mr. Richard Warren 
 *Mr. John Billington and Elen his wife and 2 sons John and 
 
 Francis 
 *Elizabeth Tilley, daughter of John (Married John Howland) 
 
 Henery Sampson and Humilitie Coper 
 *Francis Cooke and his son John 
 *Joseph Rogers, son of John 
 *Mary Chilton, daughter of James Chilton 
 *Samuel Fuller, son of Edward 
 *Francis Eaton 
 *John Alden (married Priscilla Mullines) 
 
 Richard Gardiner and seaman Gilbert Winslow Peter 
 Nourse 
 
 LBMy'22 H 77 7 
 
'Prmted on 
 WHEELWRIGHT S BEST PLATE FINISH 
 
 25 X 38 — 70 
 
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